By Regina Kaza
In a sleepy town like Boca Raton where almost every restaurant stops serving food by 11 p.m., late night cravings are a struggle. Luckily, there's a new place with a large enough menu to satisfy your midnight munchies in ways the Denny's down the street or that regrettable drive thru never could. And, yes, it's open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year.
Owner Toula Amanna opened Flashback's third location in December, but the local chain has been around for 23 years with restaurants in Hallandale Beach and Delray Beach. However, don't expect a classic New York style joint like some of the other spots in town.
Besides a few old school photos on the walls and an overwhelming menu, this place is far from a regular diner.
The front patio is packed with lounge couches and red cushioned booths around a black marble fountain. Inside, the restaurant is lit with crystal chandeliers and modern light fixtures hanging over every orange booth with its personal flat screen TV in each.
"We didn't want anything that looked shabby so it would appeal to a more sophisticated taste," Amanna says.
There were only a few tables open on a Monday night, but the real rush kicks in after hours.
"After midnight we have the party people that go to a nightclub come by and need something soft in their stomachs like eggs and we accommodate that," she says.
Flashback Diner serves breakfast anytime along with a wide range of American and some ethnic items, from burgers to Spanakopita ($8) a Greek-style spinach pie baked in phyllo dough and feta cheese.
Despite the flashy decor the food sticks to diner quality, simple homestyle meals served all day, every day. Try the Lums Original Ollie Burger ($10) that's been on the menu since the 70s, made with 23 imported herbs and seasonings, topped with mozzarella.
Flashback Diner is located at1450 North Federal Highway Boca Raton. Call 561-750-2120, or visit flashbackdiner.com.
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